St John's Uniting Church, Neutral Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John's Uniting Church |
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The exterior of St John's Uniting Church, in 2012
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| 33°49′57″S 151°13′17″E / 33.8325°S 151.2213°E | |
| Location | 49 Yeo Street, Neutral Bay, North Sydney Council, New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Uniting (since 1977) |
| Previous denomination | Presbyterian (1980 – 1977) |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | St John's Presbyterian Church |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 26 April 1890 |
| Dedication | 19 July 1890 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Charles H. Slayter |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Victorian Free Gothic |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Brick; slate roof, replaced by concrete tiles |
| Administration | |
| Synod | New South Wales and ACT |
St John's Uniting Church and Pipe Organ is a very old and important church in Neutral Bay, Australia. It is part of the Uniting Church. Both the church building and its special pipe organ are listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means they are protected because they are historically and architecturally important. The church was built by Tafield and Collins, and the pipe organ was made by Charles Richardson.
Contents
History of St John's Church
The church started as a Presbyterian meeting place in Neutral Bay in 1889. A kind person named Captain Robert Craig gave the land for the church. The first stone was laid on April 26, 1890.
The church was designed by Charles H. Slatyer and built by Tafield and Collins. It officially opened on July 19, 1890. When it was first built, it looked like a simple Gothic-style building. It was made bigger in 1898 and again in 1908. The amazing pipe organ was added in 1912. Later, a house for the minister (called a manse) was built in 1920, and a school hall was added in 1923.
What the Church Looks Like
St John's Church is made of brick with stone decorations. It has a very steep, pointed roof. Inside, the walls are smooth, and each section has a special plaque to remember someone. There's a beautifully carved pulpit where the minister speaks. The church also has two special windows in the organ area. These windows were designed by Norman St Carter and made by F. J. Tarrant.
The roof inside is quite unique! It's called a "hammer-beam roof" and uses thin, curved pieces of wood to create strong arches. The building is designed in a style called Victorian Free Gothic. This style was popular in the Victorian era and has elements of older Gothic churches.
The Amazing Pipe Organ
The pipe organ in St John's Church was built in 1912 by Charles Richardson. He was a very famous organ maker in New South Wales from 1883 to 1920. This organ is special because it's a rare example of his work that is still in its original condition.
The way the organ looks (its case design) is unique for its time. It also uses an older system called "tracker action" to make the music. This means the keys are directly connected to the pipes, which is different from newer organs.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the church has had some changes. The original roof was made of slate, but it was replaced with concrete tiles in 1979. The north end of the church, which was added later, has a large window with three lights and a nice stone entrance porch. The organ room at the south end was also added later and has its own roof.
Why This Church is Special
St John's Uniting Church is important for several reasons. It's a great example of a late Victorian Gothic-style church. Its location on a corner makes it stand out in the area. The way the roof is built, using thin layers of wood to create strong arches, was very new and unique for its time.
The pipe organ is also very important. It's a rare and complete example of the work of Charles Richardson, who was the most important organ builder in New South Wales for many years. The beautiful details inside the church, like the wooden carvings, are also very special.
Because of all these reasons, St John's Uniting Church and Pipe Organ were officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This helps protect them for future generations.
See also
- Uniting Church in Australia
